Sterling Truck announces product updates for construction market: A-line, L-line and Acterra trucks/tractors enhanced for mixer, dump and crane bodies
Published in: Fleet Equipment
Date: 5/1/2005
Sterling Truck Corp. has announced several updates to its A-line, L-line, and Acterra trucks and tractors. The updates, targeted specifically at the construction market, include a line up of front and rear axles, a rear engine power takeoff option for the Mercedes-Benz MBE 4000 engine and an enhanced taper leaf front suspension, Sterling said.
Front/Rear Axle Systems
According to Sterling, its front axle design is robust and can provide weight savings of up to 28 lbs. over other similar axle offerings. To reduce servicing and downtime, kingpins are supported by needle bearings rather than bushings. Additionally, the kingpins ‘roll’ instead of ‘rub’ when the axle is being steered. Sterling’s standard warranty covers the entire axle, including the needle bearings and the kingpins, which commonly cause axle failures.
The truck manufacturer’s rear axle offerings include single and tandem models featuring a new design that offers weight savings up to 128 lbs. over designs, according to the company.
MBE 4000 Engine with REPTO
Available later this year will be a Mercedes-Benz MBE 4000 engine with a rear engine power takeoff (REPTO) option. Sterling said that the rear-mounted PTO will allow customers to achieve a payload advantage, spec a longer wheelbase chassis and improve weight distribution.
The MBE 4000 with REPTO features a 1-to-24.1 output shaft ratio, no added engine length and a 10 o’clock output location. Gear-driven off the rear of the engine camshaft and an integral part of the flywheel housing, the MBE 4000 with REPTO can supply power while the truck is moving or stationary.
Cummins ISC
Already available on the Sterling Acterra, the Cummins ISC engine is now available on Sterling’s L-line trucks. Fully compliant with EPA 2004 standards, the diesel features a high-pressure, common-rail fuel system. The design maintains high injection pressures, regardless of engine RPM, according to Sterling.
Taper Leaf Front Suspension
Now available for all Sterling Class 7 and 8 models is a lightweight, reportedly low-maintenance taper leaf front suspension with a capacity rating of 12,000 lbs. that offers weight savings of up to 14 lbs. over the previous design. According to the company, ride quality is improved due to a reduction of interleaf sprig friction.
Hendrickson Composilite ST
Hendrickson’s Composilite ST steerable pusher axle, capacity rated at 13,500 lbs., is now available on the L-line and Acterra. For fleets desiring increased payload capacity, it provides a savings of 160 lbs. over the HLUS-2 Paralift Ultra. The axle uses a lightweight composite tie rod that allows zero torsion bushings to spin freely, reportedly eliminating bushing windup, and features a 28-degree wheel cut for maneuverabiliy.
Sterling Truck Corp.
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